Welcome back:Yes, lots of goodbyes for a Chicago team some observers believe is headed for the decline that afflicts all dynastic teams under the salary cap. But the Blackhawks will welcome back a couple of familiar faces as Patrick Sharp signed a one-year deal to return to the team with whom he won three Cups after spending the last two seasons in Dallas. Sharp hopes to put behind him an injury-marred 2016-17 campaign, and if he's healthy, he'll play top-six minutes and could get back to the 30-goal mark, effectively replacing Hossa's lost offense. Meanwhile, Brandon Saad returns after a blockbuster deal that saw former Rookie of the Year Artemi Panarin head to Columbus for Saad, who was dealt to the Blue Jackets two summers ago when GM Stan Bowman worried that he couldn't afford to match a potential offer sheet. The thinking is that Saad, a two-time Cup winner who is just 24, will re-invigorate captain Jonathan Toews, who is coming off a 21-goal campaign his lowest production since coming into the NHL in 2007. Look for Saad, Toews and Richard Panik to form the team's most productive forward unit.
Is the magic beginning to run out?Bowman has been lauded since taking over for Dale Tallon the summer before the Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup win (the first of three between '10 and '15) as being able to deftly maneuver the 'Hawks through all kinds of salary-cap issues while keeping the team playoff ready. Does two straight one-and-done playoff springs suggest Bowman's magic is failing? It's really less about the core; Corey Crawford, Patrick Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and a healthy Sharp are winners with a capital 'W'. It's the rest of the lineup that needs to step forward. Saad is a huge part of that. But so are youngsters like Nick Schmaltz, who looks to start the season centering Patrick Kane and Sharp, Ryan Hartman and Vinnie Hinostroza up front, and Gustav Forsling and Murphy along the blue line will have significant responsibilities. Dynamic Alex DeBrincat, 19, is already getting some preseason Calder Trophy love, and will get a shot with the NHL club to start the season. So, if the kids are all right, the Blackhawks are back in the contending game. If not, then the playoffs will be touch and go.
Window of opportunity not shut quite yet: If there is reason to believe in a Blackhawk renaissance, it's not just history, but logic. The Blackhawks won a Cup in 2010 and went out in the first round to Vancouver and Phoenix before surging to Cup wins in 2013 and 2015, with a trip to the Western Conference final in between. Yes, the core is older, but they're still well within the Cup comfort zone, and they've had two long summers now, and that means they should be physically -- and mentally -- ready for another run at glory.
